FALSE.

When you’re sick or hurt – the last thing you want to do is wait.

Having private health insurance means you:

• Are protected against high costs of care.
• Don’t have to wait for hospital procedures.
• Can tailor your extras to your lifestyle, meaning you are covered for the services you need most.

FALSE.

Unfortunately, ill-health or accidents can strike at any time regardless of age.

Young people with basic health cover are protected from high costs of care – and can choose the healthcare provider and timing of the procedure themselves.

FALSE.

• Consumers can very easily sign up to ‘no gap’ and no excess cover – meaning they are covered for services by specialists who have agreed not to charge any extra
• Out-of-pocket costs occur when hospitals or specialists who don’t have an agreement with your provider, charge you excess costs

Consumers should always check with specialists about any out-of-pocket costs they might incur.

FALSE.

In 2018-19, the median waiting time for elective surgery was 24 days for private health insurance-funded patients, compared to 44 days for public patients (Reference: AIHW report).

• Private health insurance allows you to choose your healthcare provider
• The timing of your procedure
• Be treated by a fully-trained specialist throughout your treatment

FALSE.

• Private health insurance is voluntary, but all Australians benefit when the private health sector works well.
• Private health insurance takes pressure off public hospitals.